Wednesday, March 09, 2011

News Links, March 10, 2011

"Those exhorting OPEC to boost output should be careful what they wish for. The cartel card can be played once only, and it risks exposing the fragility of the global energy system if the Gulf powers are seen struggling to deliver."

Saudi foreign minister warns against protests"Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said today that dialogue — not protests — is the way to bring reform and warned that the oil-rich nation will take strong action if activists take to the streets."

"The Middle East gas industry is waking up to the reality that it increasingly has to explore for gas in hard-to-reach deposits and formations amid rising demands from domestic power, water and petrochemicals sectors."

"A report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers finds the world is hurtling towards population overload placing billions at risk of hunger, thirst and slum conditions. This is the first report of its kind by the engineering profession."

"'It's a guerilla cyberwar — that's what I call it,' said Barrett Brown, 29, who calls himself a senior strategist and 'propagandist' for Anonymous. He added: 'It's sort of an unconventional, asymmetrical act of warfare that we've involved in. And we didn't necessarily start it. I mean, this fire has been burning.'"

"America's most in-demand police vehicle is a ten-officer 16,000-pound armored tank that takes bullets like Superman and drives 80 mph. The federal government buys dozens each year for local police departments."